Transnationally German?

Abstract

The introduction presents a theoretical intervention in debates on transnationalism, and especially transnationalism and culture. It begins with a redefinition of the concept of transnationalism, distinguishing it from globalization and emphasizing its saturation of all aspects of everyday life, multidirectionality, destablization of centre–periphery models, and especially how it impacts on all, minority and nonminority populations alike. Subsequently, the chapter examines the Federal Republic of Germany as an “exemplary transnational nation,” focusing on Germany’s open economy, “Germans in the world,” and rapid demographic change.